Along with its needing effects, a drug may cause some unwanted effects. Some side effects will have signs or symptoms that you can see or feel. Your family doctor will watch for others by doing certain tests.
Always because of the way this drug acts on the body, there is a risk that it might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the drug is using. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or skin cancer. However, the risk of cancer seems to be lower in people taking azathioprine for arthritis. Discuss these possible effects with your family doctor.
Check with your family doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects was happen
More common
Cough or hoarseness; fever or chills; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination; unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; pinpoint red spots on skin; unusual bleeding or bruising
Rare
Fast heartbeat; fever - sudden; muscle or joint pain; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea - severe; redness or blisters on skin; shortness of breath; sores in mouth and on lips; stomach pain; swelling of feet or lower legs; unusual feeling of discomfort or illness - sudden
This drug may also cause the following side effect that your family doctor will watch for:
Less common
Liver problems
For diseaseds taking this drug for rheumatoid arthritis :
Other side effects may occur that usually don't needed medical attention. These side effects may go away during treat as your body adjusts to the drug. However, check with your family doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting
Less common
Skin rash
After you stop using this drug, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time check with your family doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
Black, tarry stools; blood in urine; cough or hoarseness; fever or chills; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination; pinpoint red spots on skin; unusual bleeding or bruising
More common side effects not listed above may also occur in some diseaseds. If you notice any other problems, check with your family doctor.